Get Your Wellies On

One of the best things I love about PR is how glamorous it can be - looking your best is part of the job! So I was somewhat surprised when I was asked to put my wellies on and head over to Cotswold Farm Park with Stuart Holmes to take pictures with Adam Henson for their new partnership, as part of the Indulgence by Stuart Holmes scheme.

So, with my wellies and my best country gear on (glamorous, indeed!) I went to meet Stuart for an early 7.30am start - if that's not commitment to the job, I don't know what is! As we entered Cotswold Farm Park, the child inside me was beyond excited for seeing the animals, but this had to be kept under control - I was supposed to be a professional photographer/PR girl after all!

The idea was that Stuart and Adam would have their photo taken with one of the farm's bulls, however after seeing the size of the horned beast, we decided that perhaps this was not the best option, and so Adam opted for the baby version instead. He may have looked incredibly cute, but that baby was one stroppy customer and made sure we knew it! 

Today has been a little more on the girly side as we started the day with a complimentary blow dry at Stuart Holmes Hair and Beauty Spa and then headed back to the office for a bit of press day preparation! Once again, we all found ourselves asking the same girly question: what do we wear? But that is the advantage of working alongside a team of girls, they can help you with any wardrobe dilemma. 

The press launch tonight at Chapel Spa will be a great chance to meet everyone involved with Cheltenham Fashion Week, and the press packs are so on-brand! Everyone needs a little pink in their lives!

Alex

x

What We're Wearing

Ellie

Dress & Belt: Warehouse

Shoes: Topshop

Accessories: Pandora and Accessorize

Bag: Longchamp

Esther

Top: Gap

Trousers: Gap

Shoes: Topshop

Accessories: H&M and Marc Jacobs watch

Alex

Top: Next

Blazer: Next

Trousers: New Look

Shoes: River Island

Accessories: Accessorize and Breil watch

Silver Ball Interns Let Loose on the Roads

Our second week at Silver Ball PR started with bang. Quite literally!

After months and months of lessons I finally passed my driving test (whoopie!) and at nearly 22 it couldn’t have come soon enough! As I’m from Stroud, getting to the Silver Ball offices each morning and home each evening was proving rather a nightmare without a licence. Public transport ended up being a totally ludicrous option, with googlemaps estimating my journey time to be around 2hrs with changes at what seemed like every 2 miles! 

So, with my fluttering eyelashes and biggest smile, I approached anyone and everyone who could have driven me. Parents, boyfriend, friends, sister; you name them, they’ve been asked! However, their good will was running short with the Cheltenham rush hour traffic. Feeling more and more frustrated as we crawled along the A38, I’m sure they were just as ecstatic as I was on hearing the word "PASS". My driving test time flew by, and all the stories of horrid driving examiners were banished, mine was lovely! I passed with flying colours, and was ready to get behind the wheel.

A wheel however, that I was swiftly reminded to be careful with. Let me explain. On leaving work at 5 the roads were busy, and like Ellie I’m not from this side of Cheltenham. So when you don’t know the twists and turns of the country lanes, accidents happen. I’m sure you can guess the end of my story by now, but if not, who did I come across on my journey home… Ellie, a rather sorry looking Mini and a very angry taxi driver. 

I hopped out as soon as I realised it was Ellie in the car sprawled across the middle of the road and tried to explain to the now red faced taxi man that of course it was an accident. She was unhurt and understandably shaken up, but nothing too serious thank goodness; as she put it “a car can be replaced but I can’t!”

So my motoring tale comes to an end. We have one newbie intern on the roads, however driving around in a mint green Polo means I’ll be seen from miles around! We also have one intern driving round in a rather bashed car. So with our hair appointment at Stuart Holmes Hair and Beauty Salon booked for tomorrow, I wonder who will draw the short straw and be driving!?

Esther x

What We're Wearing

Alex

Top: Mango

Trousers: Next

Shoes: River Island

Accessories: Accessorize and Breil Watch

Bag: Ralph Lauren

Esther

Top: New Look

Trousers: Warehouse

Shoes: Ebay

Accessories: Moonflower and Marc Jacobs Watch

Bag: Mulberry

Ellie

Top: Zara

Trousers: New Look

Shoes: H&M

Accessories: Jungle, Cirencester

Bag: Longchamp

Taittinger, Tickets & Tresses

After working with Silver Ball PR in the past for a couple of launch events, I loved the company and so jumped at the chance to work for them over the summer. When I heard back that I had secured one of the three internship places I was ecstatic! The prospect of a summer researching for my dissertation quickly disappeared over the horizon with my surfboard.

First assignment, networking drinks to celebrate Emma Robert’s new position as Editor of Cotswold Style. Glad to have some company and a friendly face, I added Alex on Facebook with a very girly agenda – what was she planning to wear? We agreed a smart dress code was best as the drinks were to be held at The Daffodil Champagne bar within the Cheltenham Food and Drink Festival. Luckily the sun was shining so I wore a formal nude dress from Warehouse with black ballet pumps. This was the first time I had met Alex, although had heard great things about her from Annabel and was also impressed by her HerUni.com credentials.

When we first arrived it was quite awkward as we didn’t know anyone or even what Emma looked like. Although soon enough we were introduced to Emma who was lovely, she made us feel extremely welcome. We chatted while sipping on Taittinger champagne – how very on brand!

The networking drinks gave me a really clear insight about how relationships with press contacts are built and maintained. Although such an integral part to successful PR, it was something my PR degree had only touched upon.

With Cheltenham Fashion Week tickets going on sale on Friday and the press launch on Thursday this week we have been preparing for both. This has largely involved finalising guest lists; from putting together extensive excel spread sheets of RSVPs to chasing people who haven’t confirmed their attendance yet. We will also be putting together press packs for journalists and planning my outfits. On the morning of the press launch we all also have appointments to have our hair done at The Stuart Holmes Hair and Beauty Spa, the official hair sponsors of Cheltenham Fashion Week. So Thursday, here we come!  

Ellie xx